SNN116243 - Old Head Farm, Brigstock, Northamptonshire: Trial Trenching Interim Report

This interim report details the results of archaeological trial trenching at the 'Site' of a proposed development for the Brigstock Solar Photovoltaic (PV) site at Old Head Farm, Brigstock, Northamptonshire (Planning Ref No 20/00207/FUL). AOC Archaeology Group conducted the evaluation between the 11th August and the 24th September 2021. The works were undertaken to assess the potential for the survival of sub-surface archaeological remains within the site that may be affected by the proposed development. A 'Heritage Statement' prepared by ARCUS Consultancy Services ltd (2020), identified 234 features within the core study area, which covered the site itself, and a 1km study area around the site. The scheme lies within the administrative area of Northamptonshire County Council to whom archaeological advice is provided by Liz Mordue, Archaeological Advisor. A brief for the programme of archaeological work produced by Northamptonshire County Council (NCC 2020a. See also NCC 2020b) identified the site as lying within an area of archaeological potential identified through aerial photography and fieldwalking along with some limited excavation. A geophysical survey of the site was undertaken by Headland Archaeology, comprising magnetometer surveys covering 100ha (Headland 2021). The survey identified nine distinct areas of archaeological activity, including muliple ring ditches and enclosures, ditches, pit-like features and possible kilns. The evaluation comprised the excavation of 122 trenches across the development area as proposed within th accepted 'Written Scheme of Investigation' approved by Northamptonshire County Council (AOC 2021). A number of trenches were micro-sited during the works on the request and guidance of SLR Consulting on the basis of ecological protectiom n requirements due to the presence of newts and newt habitats within the site. The evaluation uncovered four zones of substantial archaeological features and a wider scatter of isolated undated pit features. All the archaeology identified in these four areas can be see as later prehistoric in date on the basis of recovered aretefacts, with two likely late Iron Age and the other two dating to the Iron Age/Romano-British period. Archaeological features comprised cut features such as ditches, pits, gullies, postholes and spreads of material. These features likely relate to settlement activity, with finds of pottery, animal bone, burning residues, and some coarse stone artefacts recovered. The archaeological features broadly correlated to anomalies shown on the geophysical survey, although some anomalies were shown to relate to natural geological variations. Where there was a concentration of features, especially the Romano-British ones, there were plentiful surface finds visible as well as numerous from the topsoil strongly indicative of plough truncation. This confirms the ongoing and continuing plough truncation and slow degradation of the features present on site due to the intrusive nature of the agriculture practised in these fields.